So it’s the not-too-distant future and an oppressive Christian theocracy has overthrown the U.S. government. Most women are not allowed to read. Things are fairly grim. That’s the setting for the opening performance of The Curio Theatre Company’s 11th season.

Curio is staging the Philadelphia premiere of Joe Stollenwerk’s The Handmaid’s Tale, a work based on the Margaret Atwood novel. The show previews on Oct. 15, and the opening is slated for Oct. 23.

In a solo work, Curio company member Isa St. Clair plays Offred, who takes us back to a world after a staged terrorist attack in a cautionary tale that predicts our worst fears of fundamentalism. Offred is a heroine who struggles to maintain her individuality, personhood, and hope for a better future.

The Handmaid’s Tale closes on November 14. Curio shows run on a Thursday, Friday and Saturday starting at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15-$25 per person. Tickets and more information are available online at www.curiotheartre.org.

The annual Ethiopian Day Festival is Saturday. A photo from last year’s event. (From the Ethiopian Community Association website.)

The Ethiopian Community Association of Greater Philadelphia is putting on its annual Ethiopian Day Festival and free concert tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 44th and Chestnut.

Music, children’s games, food and poetry are on the schedule.

File photo.

Dog owners are invited to Clark Park this Saturday for the annual Bark in the Park event. There will be more than 25 contests, from the tallest dog to curliest tail to fastest runner, with chances to win doggie goodies. You can also meet the vet.

The event, which starts at 2 p.m. near the Bowl at 43rd and Chester, is fun for dogs and their human friends.

State Rep. James Roebuck

State Rep. James Roebuck invites West Philadelphia residents to three events he will host this fall, starting with his “Report to the People” meeting about the state budget, 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13 at the Kingsessing Recreation Center, 5100 Chester Ave. He hopes “you’ll bring your neighbors and your questions, too.”

Roebuck will also sponsor two other events this fall:

A free document-shredding event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at Roebuck’s district office, 4712 Baltimore Ave. This will help people to protect themselves from identity theft by safely disposing of unneeded documents that contain personal information, such as Social Security numbers, bank or credit card account numbers, credit card applications, canceled or unused checks, insurance and income tax records and pension information. Please note that digital or electronic media, such as computer discs, CDs or DVDs, will not be accepted at the event.

A veterans’ event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the University of the Sciences, McNeil Science and Technology Center, 4320 Woodland Ave. Representatives of federal, state and local government agencies will be available to answer questions about benefits and other veterans’ services.

For more information on any of these events, please call Roebuck’s office at 215-724-2227. For updates, check out Roebuck’s legislative Facebook page or Twitter.

We are happy to pass along the news that Neighborhood Bike Works – a non-profit well known across the city for connecting education, kids and bikes – is having a grand opening celebration this Saturday, Oct. 10 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at their new Community Shop and Bike Education Hub at 3939 Lancaster Ave.

You can have a look at the new space and get some info on upcoming youth and adult programs while enjoying some refreshments and activities. There will also be a commemorative t-shirt screen printing so bring a t-shirt along.  Continue Reading

Halloween is less than a month away and the Woodlands Cemetery and Mansion (40th and Woodland) is once again presenting a series of fun and spooky events for kids and adults alike. More information is below. Also, Bindlestiff Books (4530 Baltimore Ave.) is accepting donations of children’s books for All Hallow’s Read: a spooky book swap that will be held at the Woodlands on Sunday, Oct. 25, from Noon to 4.

HollyWoodlands Movie Night featuring Ghostbusters
Saturday, Oct. 17
Doors open at 6:30 p.m., film starts at 7 p.m.
Requested donation: $10 for adults, $2 for children under 12yrs
Household Level Members and up: Free entry

The Woodlands will provide the firepits, you bring the s’mores, blankets and chairs. PB & Jams and Happy Hippy will be onsite to provide all your snacking needs.  Continue Reading